Movers for America today announced its 2026 policy priorities, which have been delivered to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, and Personal Property Activity Commander Major General Lance Curtis.
The recommendations, informed by military moving professionals across the country and the service members and families they support, come as the Department of Defense continues building the future of the Personal Property Activity (PPA) and lawmakers begin shaping the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“The men and women in our industry are the ones loading the trucks, managing the crews, and making sure military families’ belongings arrive safely every day,” said Katie McMichael, Movers for America Executive Director. “As the Department continues strengthening the Personal Property Activity and Congress begins shaping the next National Defense Authorization Act, it’s important that the people doing the work have a seat at the table. We’re recommending practical, real-world solutions that support military families and further strengthen the program that industry professionals take great pride in servicing.”
POLICY PRIORITIES
Creation of a Personal Property Activity Industry Working Group:
Establishment of a standing, quarterly forum for structured engagement between the Department and industry to promote proactive collaboration, as authority and oversight are centralized under the Personal Property Activity. Regular input from the full spectrum of industry stakeholders is essential to identifying operational risks early and avoiding unintended consequences that ultimately affect service members and their families. We encourage representation of different parts of the supply chain: van lines, agents, move managers, international providers, marine carriers, and leading industry organizations like MFA.
Protecting Military Families from Fraudulent Movers:
Strengthening safeguards for service members who elect Personally Procured Moves would help protect military families from fraudulent or unlicensed movers. MFA supports a straightforward safeguard: any PPM involving a third-party moving company should be performed only by a household goods carrier properly licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and verified by the Department.
Establish a market-friendly fuel surcharge
In addition to these requests, MFA encourages the PPA to establish a predictable, market-aligned fuel surcharge that reflects real transportation costs. The fuel surcharge is a long-standing mechanism designed to protect the government, transportation providers, and the supply chain from fuel price volatility. In recent years, fuel prices have fluctuated greatly, and addressing the fuel surcharge is more timely than ever.
By sharing these recommendations directly with Congressional committee members and program leadership, Movers for America is working to ensure that the insights and real-world experience of military moving professionals are considered as leaders chart a path forward for the program.
Letter to HASC/SASC
Letter to Maj. Gen. Curtis